Rising Fuel Costs

[boothby1952]

With fuel prices projected to climb to $4.00 per gallon, how much will this effect your RV lifestyle?

[ladyliberty]

most of us closer to home I'd say... I will still RV but instead of a good long trip, I'll probably manage a few shorter, closer trips..

[kareninthewoods]

With fuel prices projected to climb to $4.00 per gallon, how much will this effect your RV lifestyle?


Our diesel just hit 3.99 a gallon here in Wisconsin. sigh.

We will still go, but shorter trips and keep our budget tighter with less frivolous items or eating out.

We could cut down on Steveio's beer consumption to make up the difference, but then he would get cranky on me. Who wants a cranky camper?

KarenInTheWoods:D

[whodo]

For us, we will make fewer short trips and concentrate on longer trips that allow us to stay for longer times in new areas.
Traveling an using the MH is still cheaper than flying, staying in Motels, eating out 3 meals a day.
The cost of flying is going up, some one has to pay for the fuel airplanes use, the cost of Motels etc. are going up, some one has to pay for the fuel to heat them, the cost of eating out is going up, someone has to pay for the cost of fuel to cook those meals. The cost of food is going up also, some one has to pay for the fuel the farmer uses to grow the food that we eat.

Now if you consider the fuel cost of a two thousand mile trip at lets say 8mpg, equals 250 gals of fuel, 250 gals of fuel at $3 a gal. equals $750.
The same trip at $4 a gallon is now going to cost $1000, a $250 increase in cost. The pleasure of travelling when you want, sleeping in your own bed eating when you want, what you want, PRICELESS even at $5 plus a gallon like is being paid on the Calif. coast at the present time.

[leeman]

Just got back last weekend from our 4000+ mile trip out west. I had receipts from all expenses, so tallied everything on the computer. We were gone a total of 43 days, and with averaging all expenses on a daily basis, we spent less than $50.00 per day. We could never drive a car and stay in motels and eat out everyday for near that cost. We do not figure in the cost of our new motorhome, as we consider that as a gift to ourselves from our savings.
So, with the cost of diesel getting higher and higher, it is still cheaper for us to travel with the motorhome that "moteling".
Leeman

[benthere]

Rv sales are down 30% over last year. The factories are laying off workers and the new units are not being ordered by dealers. Many who thaught they might buy and RV are changing their minds in record numbers. Dealers are dropping prices to point were they just get rid of the inventory before the payments on inventory come due. This is the worst it's ever been in the RV industry. Estimates are that many dealers will close down by summer.

[fixit]

and the "good ol boy's" just can't understand whats going on with the economy and why every thing is going to ----- in a hand basket.
Lets try for $9 a gal. 50 billion a qtr is simply not enough we need to try harder to get to a trillion( LOL )
safe travels( it could happen)
fixit:eek:

[gezzer]

well da, if you think its just the cost of fuel, you are really out of touch. What about food and other consumed goods? The fuel cost is going to affect those also. Our consumed goods are going to cost you 25% more over the next few months and I bet you income isn't going up that much. Your fuel is only the front end of what is happening, what really matters is how it is going to affect everything else. Get in touch.:mad:

[murffdog]

Whodo, Your figures are at $3 a gal. I don't think you'll find anything under $3.15. It's $3.25 here and my daughter in FL told me last night it was $3.17. I'm leaving Tuesday, I'll let you know. :)

[utmtman]

I dont know the price now but I spent dec thru the middle of feb in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, anyway the town east of where I was staying the price I was paying the entire time there was 2.249 rest of LA was around 2.65. We are 3.06 here where I am in Utah.
As for the high cost of fuel affecting me, we have changed from site seeing as a constant to workkamping and staying in locations for a month at a time. We figure to workkamp one more year two at the most ifn we have to than go back to siteseeing but also staying in a location for a month since its cheaper to camp by paying a month at a time. In some cases we will pay a month than depart when we have reached or gone over the difference between that month fee and a daily fee. Which is usually after two weeks time.

[pistol]

Would you like to tell where these fantastic deals on r.v.'s can be found , have been looking for new 5th wheel but havent found any of these give away prices you allude to?;)

[utmtman]

This is the worst it's ever been in the RV industry. Estimates are that many dealers will close down by summer.

I think that sounds a little like fearmongering. Yes one or two rv manufacturers shut down and another temporarily laid people off but they are back to work. I have not seen much of a drop in prices. Local boy here just enlarged his rv business. Says he is selling more rv trailers now than he has sold in years and his prices are not even low in my book. Can find same thing for better prices in the big city. But you know how them farmers and cowboys are, they make enough they pay cash. LOL A survey was done a couple of months ago in an online rv mag about what people would do with the higher prices, two biggest comments were nothing different and like me they would stay longer in places. I stay now for two weeks or more and pay by the month and it amounts to anywhere between 5 and 13 dollars a day that way.

[fixit]

well da, if you think its just the cost of fuel, you are really out of touch. What about food and other consumed goods? The fuel cost is going to affect those also. Our consumed goods are going to cost you 25% more over the next few months and I bet you income isn't going up that much. Your fuel is only the front end of what is happening, what really matters is how it is going to affect everything else. Get in touch.:mad:

sorry if we offended you with the banter it was intended with humor and toung in cheek.
fixit:D

[sonny2445]

Hello All......Iam going fulltime at the end of April 2008. Don't know what gas expence will be, but will learn quickly. I look at it this way.....Iam not going to have to pay any rent or electric or any expences you have while living in a fixed location. So I'll take that money to buy gas for my coach. One advantage I do have is.....I have a campground membership.....where I can stay in a campground in my system up to 2 weeks w/full hook up free of charge.....then I have to leave......and go to another campground in the system. Iam looking foward to it.....not going to worry about gas prices....:D

[dlrupper]

I plan to stay on the road. What else. I'm a full-timer. It's not just the cost of the fuel, but Rv parks are raising their prices way too much. Of course we have the cure "Corny fuel". All we have to do is disregard the rise in all other food products caused by diverting all the corn to ethenol.;)

[wayfo]

We are cutting down on trips but, anticipate continuing use of the motorhome.

[bettylu]

We're snowbirds and winter in FL, wouldn't want to spend another winter in Buffalo area if I can help it. We pretty much stay at our home park in FL since there is so much to do there. However, our sightseeing will mainly take place on our trips south and then again heading north for the summer. I hate making unnecessary side trips so if we are passing an area and there is a place of interest, we'll stop and visit. Each year we'll try to take a different route south and north and there is so much to see just along those routes.

[papahog]

Freedom is not free.

I enjoy the freedom of fulltime RVing. I have not yet modified my habits nor do I plan to.

What choice do I have... None. Either sell and get an apartment and wait to die or travel and enjoy life on the road in this great United States and all it has to offer.

I pull up to the pump and am happy to pay what ever it says. The first mobile travelers had horses and wagons when they went west. How would you like to do that trip? When you consider what fuel does for us it is a no brainer.

[rbc1996]

Every thing is going up in price, Still plan on traveling in the motorhome with closer to home trips.

[jimbo]

diesel fuel in Mi just hit 4.09 I don't plan to camp less but will take fewer side trips. Sucks for the tourist industry. Also will eat out less and try to bring everything aslomng we need so we don't have to run into town every other day. Will need more detailed packing lists.:(

[gezzer]

With all the costs having gone up and my money running short I have changed how I do things. 1st, I am now back in the work force and will be there for a while. I am going to affect some of those business that need cheap labor by being there for them. I'll be a greeter, floor sweeper, stocker, whatever turns a buck. 2nd: When I get tired of that I'll spend my time doing volunteer wk at state park, natl. forests, aand any other gov. owned park where I can park for free in exchange for my services, I will not do this for a private park, they con pay me. There are many business along the Mex. border who have lost their Mex. help and they are in need of people, but the wages are poor, but its work. You need to find ways of not spending money and then you don't have to have money. Find places you enjoy and stay put.

[utmtman]

Gezzer you can get camp ground host jobs that give you a full hookup campsite and get paid too. And some of the volunteer jobs at national parks and such pay a fee for meals or travel depending on their budget. And some only give you a full hookup campsite. Good luck to ya.

[lensmanicu]

We will still maintain our RV lifestyle just stay closer to home.

[harleydavidson]

We are paying over $1 more a gal this year than last year at approx $40 per week, 160 per month and about $2000 per year more than last year, just gas. Then add everything else. I guess we will all stay closer to home. Eat out less and cut back to make ends meet. Great politicians.

[larryg]

We were planning some very long trips this year. However, with the cost of fuel and the fact we are on fixed incomes, we will continue to travel only doing shorter trips and longer stays. Trips within 500 miles. When the day comes that we can't afford the cost of fuel it will be the day we get rid of the MH. We did not pay six figures for a motor home just to have it sit in the yard. Today gas prices at some stations in Augusta, GA jumped .10 per gal in less than one hour. How can that be legal for gas that's already been delivered to the station?

[jimbo]

4.19 a gal here in Mi. I planted my trailer on a seasonal lot last summer and left it there a lot cheaper to head up to it in a truck than tow the rigshaw. I will not be camping any less this summer but will eat out less and will take fewer side trips. Also we will take longer trips and stay at the trailer longer so we won't have to take as many trips back and forth from home. Also as gezzer stated we'll be eating more hamburger and less steak cause of the price of groceries. May also have to go with cheaper one ply toilet paper to save a buck. NO WAY!!! lol.

[dlrupper]

Going slower.

[sirslink]

I filled up this AM $3.94 per gal diesel
Kansas City Mo.:eek:

[ladyliberty]

If I had a diesel...I think I'd convert it to a french fry machine....you know the conversion kits that use's vegetable oil...Saw a show on that recently and supposedly you get excellent mileage..

[rvdoc]

I do not care if gas hits over $4.00, It is a lifestyle I refuse to give up. See ya on the road!!!

[sirslink]

Hell I just bough my 5r and a new truck to boot can't quit now. Just go somewhere were there are lots of side trips to make and take the bikes saves on gas and more fun ain't gonna live forever:eek:
Slink:D

[utmtman]

I go along with that rvdoc. I just started fulltiming last year and I am not ready to quit now. And besides until our gas price hits that of other countries I am not going to do a lot of complaining.

[papahog]

I do not care if gas hits over $4.00, It is a lifestyle I refuse to give up. See ya on the road!!!

I will be there with you, on the road. I am on a 6 month trip right now and have put on 32 thousand miles. One month to go and I am already planning the next one.

[utmtman]

Ive just traveled from utah to arizona to do some workamping at PFNP. I paid the most I have ever paid for gas in Arizona when I paid 3.29 today. 200.oo Ouch.

[bmk01]

I use Wal-Mart gift cards when I can it gives a 3 cent a gallon discount when I fill up. I tow a 30' Airstream Classic with a Chevy 250HD Duramax diesel, I am getting between 15 - 17 mpg pulling 20 - 22 mpg light. I have done 129,000 miles on the Chevy, and it gets better all the time.

[karyljm]

I think it is time that America starts tapping into our own oil supply. I know from people who live in Alaska it won't hurt the animals. Prices for foreign oil are just getting outrageous. Think of the people who can't even afford to heat their homes, and how much it is driving up groceries. :(

[murffdog]

If you wanna dance, you have to pay the fiddler. I guess I'll keep on paying.

[whodo]

I think it is time that America starts tapping into our own oil supply. I know from people who live in Alaska it won't hurt the animals. Prices for foreign oil are just getting outrageous. Think of the people who can't even afford to heat their homes, and how much it is driving up groceries. :(

There hasn't been a new refinery built in the U.S. in over 30 years, where would you refine all this oil any way?

There are many untapped oil fields in the Cont. US that are not being pumped. WHY? Because no one wants a oil derick or refinery in there back yard. No one wants a oil derick or refinery in there favorite Nat. Park, State Park, etc.

You get exactly what you VOTE for. This IS a Election Year, if you want change then get out an vote for it, don't just sit back and complain about it, do something, VOTE!

[murffdog]

There hasn't been a new refinery built in the U.S. in over 30 years, where would you refine all this oil any way?

There are many untapped oil fields in the Cont. US that are not being pumped. WHY? Because no one wants a oil derick or refinery in there back yard. No one wants a oil derick or refinery in there favorite Nat. Park, State Park, etc.

You get exactly what you VOTE for. This IS a Election Year, if you want change then get out an vote for it, don't just sit back and complain about it, do something, VOTE!

Interesting, who do you vote for? It doesn't matter who gets to be president, nothing will change unless you throw out the whole congress and start over.

[1stsgt]

Interesting, who do you vote for? It doesn't matter who gets to be president, nothing will change unless you throw out the whole congress and start over.

I'll 2nd that! Do I hear a 3rd?

[whodo]

Interesting, who do you vote for? It doesn't matter who gets to be president, nothing will change unless you throw out the whole congress and start over.

If you want CHANGE, Vote for it. The only way you will ever change congress is to VOTE!!

Now as far as It doesn't matter who gets to be president, Well I disagree. If you want change, you have to start at the top and replace all the Politicians.

[cb5300]

With fuel prices projected to climb to $4.00 per gallon, how much will this effect your RV lifestyle?

Not at all...Now $8.00 plus and we are talking a whole other ball game... You have to weigh out the cost of fuel for the motor home vs cost of motel, food, and fuel for your car.

[utmtman]

True, we have to replace our congress with those who will listen and help support the people or get the present congress to support and listen to the people. And also we need to get the dang enviromentalist off of their back too or they still wont let us build new refineries. We have the oil available today but it will take 3 to 5 years to build the refineries to handle it so we suffer till that happens and in the mean time we suffer till we get congress to allow it to happen.

[dlrupper]

Time to get nasty with the environmentalists and demand new refineries, nuclear plants and drill Alaska and off shore Florida. After all Cuba/China and Russia are drilling in Cuban waters off of Florida.

[murffdog]

Time to get nasty with the environmentalists and demand new refineries, nuclear plants and drill Alaska and off shore Florida. After all Cuba/China and Russia are drilling in Cuban waters off of Florida.


If the tree huggers don't like it, tough, move!

[utmtman]

Heck we already have hundreds of wells in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado that are capped and not pumping until we can find a place to refine it. We can drill other areas as needed.

[mwallace61]

Considering that I retire in 2.5 weeks and Karen, Me, and Forrest the wonder dog are moving into our 5th wheel and on the highways, very little if at all. We are still young, 53/47 and plan on seeing what we can of our country before we get too old to do so. It's just gonna cost us a little more than it might have.


With fuel prices projected to climb to $4.00 per gallon, how much will this effect your RV lifestyle?

[murffdog]

Considering that I retire in 2.5 weeks and Karen, Me, and Forrest the wonder dog are moving into our 5th wheel and on the highways, very little if at all. We are still young, 53/47 and plan on seeing what we can of our country before we get too old to do so. It's just gonna cost us a little more than it might have.

Congratulation, go for it and enjoy, the worst that can happen is you come back home.

[whodo]

mwallace61
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on retiring, enjoy it, life's to short not to.

[johnnyp]

I will continue to use my Bounder as usual in spite of rising fuel prices.Motorhomeing is over once you are six feet under.My major gripe is with the 2002 senate which failed to pass the energy bill which would have opened up anwar in alaska to oil exploration also the coast of Calf. and the west coast of Florida.These three things would have put a lot more oil on the world market and kept prices down. It would also have kept 500,000,000,000 dollars in this country keeping the dollar value high.That 500 Billion is the amount we pay to import oil each year.:mad:

[johnnyp]

There hasn't been a new refinery built in the U.S. in over 30 years, where would you refine all this oil any way?

There are many untapped oil fields in the Cont. US that are not being pumped. WHY? Because no one wants a oil derick or refinery in there back yard. No one wants a oil derick or refinery in there favorite Nat. Park, State Park, etc.

You get exactly what you VOTE for. This IS a Election Year, if you want change then get out an vote for it, don't just sit back and complain about it, do something, VOTE!

I wish we had someone to vote for. It seems they all fear the greenies and Al Gore.

[whodo]

I wish we had someone to vote for. It seems they all fear the greenies and Al Gore.

Why do they fear "the greenies and Al Gore"?
Because they get out and VOTE!
IF you want change then Vote for it!

Remember, people voted against "Al Ozone Gore" when he ran. The Greenies lost that one.
Voting does work sometimes, maybe not perfect, but it gets the message out.

[kitsmiller]

I hope that the strong reputable dealers and manufacturers will keep their employees working and that the lower sales will weed out the weak less reputable dealers and mfgs. The ones that build junk, lie for a sale, and then don't perform service, or stand behind their product for their campers will shut their doors for sure. Prices were soaring on the product and this slowdown should also help get the prices back under control.

;) Rv sales are down 30% over last year. The factories are laying off workers and the new units are not being ordered by dealers. Many who thaught they might buy and RV are changing their minds in record numbers. Dealers are dropping prices to point were they just get rid of the inventory before the payments on inventory come due. This is the worst it's ever been in the RV industry. Estimates are that many dealers will close down by summer.

[tntrvlr]

I'm with you Whodo; we expect to travel the Rockies this year from Albuquerque to Glacier and to Alaska next year, or in reverse order. Considering everything there is still no better way to travel the country and I say that as diesel fuel just hit $4/gal here in east Tenn. Enjoy your travels

[stevesandidge]

we're at 3.45 here now and rising in ne tn. we plan on short close to home trips for the most part. i thihk we are gonna use some of our "dividend" check to filler her up and then some of the off the beaten track campgrounds within 50 miles of home. they are out of the way and quiet as well. since i've started doing mobile rv serviec i have found several of thiem i didn't know existed. happy trails yall!

[murffdog]

Here in New York, the tax state, 80 miles north of NYC, Diesel hit $4.60 yesterday and gas is $3.55 with one thief at $3.70.

[whodo]

Here in New York, the tax state, 80 miles north of NYC, Diesel hit $4.60 yesterday and gas is $3.55 with one thief at $3.70.

I was watching the news and there is a town in Calif. (I always thought it was Taxafornia myself), pronounced "Kaleefoürnyah" according to Arnold the Governator, where the price of Gas is already $5.00 a gallon, I forget what they said diesel was. Enjoy your $3.55 a gallon gas, there are others that have it worse.